Overview of Recent Developments Regarding Video Game Shutdowns
- The UK government has decided against addressing recent petitions concerning abrupt video game shutdowns, leaving many gamers dissatisfied.
- In response to growing frustrations, gamers are looking to petition other governments to address the issue of game service discontinuation.
In a disappointing turn for gamers advocating for the preservation of online titles, the UK government has officially stated that it will not take action to address the contentious issue of video game shutdowns. This decision follows the emergence of a petition prompted by the impending shutdown and delisting of the online game The Crew, highlighting a broader frustration within the gaming community.
In recent years, players have expressed their irritation over the abrupt discontinuation of online games, particularly when these closures occur suddenly or shortly after the game has been available. Regardless of whether users are paying monthly fees, the withdrawal of access to a game they have invested significant time and resources into is understandably disheartening. Notably, the announcement of MultiVersus shutting down has ignited strong negative sentiments among its community. The present petition, however, initially emerged in 2024 in reaction to games that become entirely unplayable once offline services are discontinued.
The Government’s Response to the Petition
The UK government’s response, issued via a statement, addressed a petition that garnered over 13, 000 signatures. The petition called for the government to implement restrictions on game publishers, ensuring they could not “irrevocably disable video games they have sold, ”as seen with The Crew. The government acknowledged consumer concerns but confirmed there are no current legislative requirements mandating support for obsolete digital products.
Nevertheless, the government did suggest that if a game misleads consumers into believing it would remain playable indefinitely, existing regulations, such as the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations, could come into effect. In such cases, at least some offline playability would be required, maintaining access to the game even if online features were discontinued.
Campaign Expands Beyond the UK
This petition, spearheaded by Stop Killing Games and led by YouTuber Ross Scott, may not have achieved the desired impact within the UK, but the campaign is far from over. Activists are now seeking to expand their efforts by submitting similar petitions to other governments, including those in the European Union, in pursuit of legislative changes that safeguard gamers’ rights.
As it stands, gamers face the uncertainty of discovering that their favorite titles—or even newly released ones—might unexpectedly cease operations. The most optimistic outcome for now is that games remain accessible offline, similar to MultiVersus and other titles from platforms that have recently shut down their servers, such as the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U.
Leave a Reply